Ngā puāwaitanga - Outcomes
How Taiao Manawa Ora was implemented
Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai
Enhancing the mana and mauri of soil
1. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is foundational to the design of place-based initiatives
Selecting project teams based on recognition and respect of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Taiao Manawa Ora was used as part of the selection process for our farms. Five Māori owned and five non Māori were enrolled by design to bridge understanding and connections across cultures and give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Participation– Ensuring safe spaces and processes (marae and farm wānanga) to enable our diverse farmers as active research participants in Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai. This meant remaining adaptable and flexible to respond to the needs of the research, the people and te taiao.
Protection – Implementing cultural health and safety through tikanga Māori values. Learning about mana and mauri and what protection and respect looks like in action. Protecting farmers identity and data. Protecting the mātauranga framework by NOT putting it into a western template – letting this knowledge have its own identity. Mātauranga captured and protected for its intended use only.
Partnership – With our kai pāmu, farmers, meeting people where they are at – working in partnership throughout the journey sharing of knowledge and different perspectives. Being in partnership with our landscapes and communities. Ensuring space to embrace mātauranga Māori , including te reo, tikanga and maramataka Māori.
2. Te taiao as a basis for change
Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai encapsulates the concept of respecting soil (oneone) for its inherent mana and mauri , recognising its vital role in land management, wellbeing and its impact on te taiao.
When farmers start with honouring the mana and mauri of soil, then they identify, and put into practice, land management options that benefit soil, water, animals, air and people and te taiao. This approach fosters a deeper connection with the land, contributing to a more sustainable future.
3. Respecting all knowledges
Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai represents the interconnected approach of modern science, mātauranga Māori and farmer practitioner knowledge.
Farm a marae wānanga provide culturally safe spaces for knowledge sharing that foster a deeper connection with te taiao and the mana and mauri of Soil. Creating a culture where difference and diversity is embraced and the strands of knowledge are respected for their individual integrity while weaving together to form a strong kete for change.
Observational knowledge, mātauranga tuku iho, statistical significance, waiata, karakia, farmer know-how, what farmers see and feel, is all respected and valued which encourages collaboration between farmers and te taiao for informed decision-making.
4. Tikanga and values
Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai is guided by respected Tainui elder Taonui Campbell and Mātauranga Māori specialist, Māori researcher Erina Wehi.
Tikanga Māori values provide a culturally appropriate way of being that embraces people of all nationalities and backgrounds informing the way in which to conduct oneself as an individual and collectively as a group. Workshops were established to support Māori and non Māori team members around the importance of whanaungatanga, nurturing good relationships based on mutual respect. This enabled our diverse and multi disciplinary team to come together and build shared values and ways of being.
Manaakitanga is a core value and the team ensures the wellbeing of its team and those they interact with by showing hospitality with simple kind gestures of providing time and energy, something to eat and drink, always showing up with something to share.
5. People and community-led change
Farmers, whānau, and community are active research participants inside Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai, which enables valuable research and the application of mātauranga Māori to be in the hands of those it effects, thus providing extension and knowledge creation for change to happen simultaneously.
By establishing and tracking farmer expectations throughout the project we were able to ensure farmers needs were met and voices were heard. Valuing the voice of our people and responding to their needs for support, access to a range of knowledge systems, access to wider community connections, and expertise meant farmers gained confidence to implement change on their whenua that fitted their place, resources and capabilities.
After two years, all 10 farms remain committed to the project and would like to see it continue.
6. People and place – a sense of place, belonging, and wellbeing
“Ko au taku pāmu, ko taku pāmu ko au”.
Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai embraces Te Whare Tapa Whā model and promotes spiritual, mental, emotional, and social well-being with a focus on farming families (whānau oranga), animals (pamū pra), and the environment (taiao ora).
“Kia Hohou Te Rongo” encourages listening to farmers’ needs and partnering with them to create solutions to revitalise te taiao. Whanaungatanga strengthens trust and collaboration and guides the research.
The “Loyal to Soil” initiative represents a nationwide movement towards this holistic approach.
7. Collaboration and participation
Kotahitanga represents the unity of farming families and communities, especially during challenging weather events in Aotearoa.
This includes practical support for families and livestock. The aim is to build resilient, profitable farming communities through collaborative research.
Knowledge exchange within Revitalise Te Taiao ensures support is provided where needed.
8. Leadership and management (mana rangatira/mana whakahaere)
Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai provides leadership to ensure they have key members on their team who are not only qualified to carry out the work but who uphold values and principles that guide and inform the research work at hand.
Being aware, responsive, approachable and adaptable to the needs of farming communities. Tailored help for farmers – Mental health and wellbeing support, practical assistance during/after extreme weather events or crop failures, and going above and beyond contracted duties.
Understanding personal lives – we are all human.
9. Broader measures of success
Outcomes are measured from a range of perspectives – farmer wellbeing, environment, animal welfare, soil health, farm profitability, knowledge increase, scientific, mātauranga Māori, research data collection evidence based.
Incorporating Te Whare Tapa Whā model focusing on the health and wellbeing of the farmer, whānau, animal welfare, soil, te taiao.
10. Interconnected solutions
Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai, from Sea to Soil to Society, represents an interconnected holistic perspective of te taiao. When farmers identify and implement land management practices that honour the mana and mauri of soil, a flow of positive benefits are realised. These include better outcomes for water, air, green house gases, market access, and value chain dynamics along with a sense of hope and pride in farming for our farmers.
Working in partnership with key industry stakeholders to inform market acceptance builds better outcomes for the environment and helps government policy be a lived reality.
11. Access to resources
Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai have provided direct access to scientists and mātauranga Māori experts, researchers, specialists who are nationally and globally recognised leaders.
Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai’s strategic approach to engage and reach farming communities throughout Aotearoa. Roadshow events, hui, wānanga, conferences, seminars targeting specific audiences to engage and share research findings, knowledge, understanding around Mana & Mauri of Soil and research objectives to revitalise te Taiao.
A series of farming stories have been captured by Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai. These stories are informative, empowering, produced as educational tools and resources that share insights into the journey farmers have taken to revitalise te Taiao.